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NonProfit Organizations & Volunteering

A strong desire to give back, to make a better world for our children and grandchildren, is shared by many in the 2young2retire cohort.  It's not about leaving a legacy.  It's about using our health, wealth and wisdom to make a difference NOW, while we can participate actively and enjoy the process. What would you do with $1,000 tax-free, AARP members were asked recently.  The majority would give it away to a favorite cause or to do something worthwhile for a family member or friend.  Generosity of spirit -- it's a mature way to make your mark. 

Start out as a volunteer and you may open doors to a paid position doing work that matters. To borrow from the Newman's Own slogan, this is human capital in the pursuit of the common good. 

Volunteer Resources  

New to the scene?  Here are two excellent online resources that can help steer you to a broad spectrum of organizations and volunteer opportunities -- there are literally hundreds.  Click on Action Without Borders and Volunteer Matches.  Both have free email newsletters to keep you up to date on who needs what, when and where. 

Experience Corps puts 2young2retire people into schools as mentors.  Based in Washington D.C., the nonprofit organization is major cities and expanding.  Volunteers earn a stipend for a minimum of 15 hours a week. Inspiring case histories.

Philanthrophy Careers  The Chronicle of Philantrophy, the newspaper of the nonprofit world gives you a complete picture, including jobs, grants, ideas and resources and the latest news. 

Foster Grandparents pairs children at risk with older citizens who have more time, patience and love to give than busy distracted parents.  Like the program proposed by former presidential candidate Bill Bradley, it gives volunteers a small stipend for their services. 

WorldTeach, a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at Harvard's Center for International Development, provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries.  No teaching or language experience needed.  

If you're handy (or would like to learn some on-the-job construction skills), Habitat for Humanity could be your choice.  Like many RVers, Jim and Kendra Golden put in many rewarding hours while searching the country for a new home and life. 

Corporations have begun to create programs that channel the talents of former employees into worthwhile volunteer jobs.   Click on PruROCS to read about a successful program at Prudential. 

And of course, to combine your penchant for philanthropy with a little wanderlust, be sure to check out the Peace Corps and Global Volunteers, and read about the experiences of Lynne Garnet and Herb and Phyllis Goldberg.

The NonProfit Sector  

Striking how many of the 2young2retire cohort are attracted to creating or leading nonprofits to address urgent needs within their communities, like formal naval officer Rick Koca, founder of StandUp For Kids, an advocacy group that focuses on homeless children, and Don Schmitz, founder of www.Grandkidsandme.com, aimed at improving the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.  

Then there's Ian Durand and April Cormaci, who co-founded The Center for Community Renewal which makes small grants to other grassroots organizations, and Peter Greeman, who is on the board of The Learning Tree, a non-profit that helps minority high school students to graduate, then return to their communities as teachers and mentors, and Mary Lou Cook, who founded Living Treasures, which honors community elders.    

Books About Giving Back

Prime Time: How Baby-Boomers Will Revolutionize Retirement and Transform America (Public Affairs, Perseus Books Group, 1999), Marc Freedman. 

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2003), David Bornstein. 

How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation (Nolo Press, 1998), Anthony Mancuso

How You Can Help: An Easy Guide to Incorporating Good Deed into Your Everyday Life (Rontledge 2000) William D. Coplin.

Volunteering: 101 Ways You Can Improve the World and Your Life (Alti Publishing 1998) Douglas M. Lawson.

Back to Next Steps

Please note that the listing of resources above is for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes an endorsement by 2young2retire.com. 

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